Pin
She was still struggling with the clasp of her earring when she stepped into the suite.
She seemed to forget about the loose hook every time she packed for an overseas trip— She'll have to send the pair of earrings to the jewelers once they're back in DC. As the back of the earring clicked into place, she thinks that they needed a cleaning anyways. The silver had begun to tarnish, and she may as well kill two birds with one stone.
"Is she dressed?" She smoothed down the skirt of her dress with her palm as she carefully gripped the small gift box in her left hand.
Blake is in front of the counter in the small kitchenette area, pouring the water from a plastic bottle into a glass.
"No." She chose to ignore his sigh.
She flipped up her wrist, checking the time. "We're due to leave in fifteen minutes."
He turned, glass in hand. "She's not feeling well."
Her lips parted… That had become code for "the Secretary is on the verge of a panic attack." She'd quietly pulled him aside after the press conference with Minister Dubois, explaining why the words Secretary and panic attack couldn't be said together in the same sentence while in close proximity to the press.
"Where are the kids?" She followed him into the main bedroom.
"I sent them downstairs to wait, so hopefully sitting quietly in the lobby."
She couldn't help but smirk as she watched him set the glass of water on the nightstand… He overestimated the maturity of teenagers.
"Are you going to be nice?"
Her eyebrows pulled together. "Excuse me?"
She watched him refold the already folded blouse and blazer that had been laid out on the bed. He smoothed down the wrinkles that had creased Elizabeth's gray skirt next.
"Are you going to be nice because she needs nice this morning?"
She wanted to roll her eyes, but she believed that doing so would make his point, and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She was slowly adjusting from working underneath a man that desired his echo to be stroked each morning to a woman who needed a bit of coddling to get out the door.
"I'll be nice," she muttered as he moved towards the dresser. She watched as he worked the zipper open of a small bag. He dug through the pouch, setting aside pieces of jewelry— He was going with gold today.
And she was just about ready to remind him of the time again when the bathroom door opened and out walked the Secretary, dressed down in plaid pajama pants and a nude bra.
"I can't do this," she said, hand pressed to her chest between the swells of her breasts.
And she wanted to blush at her state of undress, but Blake whipped around, failing to even bat an eye. She'd regularly seen Vincent in less, but that was because she was sleeping with him. This was normal? She wanted to be surprised, but Elizabeth had her relearning her left from right. Blake stared at her, arching a brow in a silent question of whether he needed to step in or if she was willing to handle this.
"You'll be fine, Ma'am."
Blake stayed put in the corner, silently watching as he made sure she'd make good on her promise of being kind.
Elizabeth had begun to pace.
It was her first time giving remarks abroad. And she was sure that the day worth of traveling, and the time difference didn't help with the nerves… Vincent always hated being off by more than four hours.
"Matt said I shouldn't look down at my paper more than four times. I don't think I can manage that. I have the major talking points down, but…" She sighed as she sank down onto the edge of the bed.
This time she really did roll her eyes.
"Madam Secretary, the only thing that matters this morning is getting Minister Samant to warm up to you. Get through the remarks and then we'll move on to lunch." She shouldn't listen to Matt… He was being benched this trip for a reason. "It's a small group of people." She shrugged one shoulder before letting it drop. "You've practiced." She found her eyes. "You'll be fine."
Elizabeth nodded as she let out a breath— Blake smiled from where he stood in the corner.
"What's that?"
"Oh, um…" She had almost forgotten about the small present clutched in her hand. She extended her arm. "This is for you."
Elizabeth eyed her wearily as the gift was passed over.
"Open it," she encouraged.
And she did, first removing the lid, and then she pulled back the tissue paper. "Oh, Nadine, I…" The pin was silver with a hint of blue on the bird's wings.
"I heard you had a thing for Bluebirds beyond it being your security name." Weeks ago, Blake had mentioned it had something to do with her mother. She hadn't pushed for any more detail.
She smiled. "I do." She carefully picked up the pin from the box. "It's beautiful Nadine. Thank you."
As Elizabeth continued to stare, she took a seat on the bench at the end of the bed. "The intern coordinator of the first campaign I worked on gave me my first pin. Over the years I've seemed to have acquired my own collection. I thought you deserved one."
"I have loads of lapel pins."
"I know, but this one has a story." Her lips curved up. "One I'll tell you when we're back in DC."
Elizabeth laughed before the room turned quiet. "This is exactly what I needed today." She saw her quickly wipe a tear away.
She decided to take a chance. "Do you miss her?" Her voice was soft, and her body language open, so she hoped that the question didn't shut her down.
"Always," she said as she stared down at her palm.
She sensed that there was more to her answer, but she let Elizabeth lead… It's what Blake seemed to do.
"Henry always tells me that they're with me, but I'm not always so quick to believe." Her eyes turned up. They were watery and a bit red, and usually, she'd worry about makeup being ruined, but right now she thought it unimportant. "I asked for a sign on the plane ride over. It's silly, but…" She smiled again as another tear broke.
She laid a gentle hand on her arm. "I like to believe that they're always with you." She'd lost people she'd loved too.
"I hope not when Henry and I are having sex."
She was so taken about by the sudden shift that she couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from the back of her throat.
She pulled her hand away as she stood. "You'll do fine today, Elizabeth." She smoothed down the skirt of her dress for about the fourth time this morning. "Now, you should get dressed. Blake was getting antsy."
Her head turned, looking for him. And something in her chest pulled, realizing that he'd finally trusted her enough to leave them alone.